Nonequilibrium reactions in an arc in a permeable channel with fast gas injection

A study was conducted on how the arc parameters in a permeable channel with the vigorous injection of air or carbon dioxide influence the target-product yields of the oxides of nitrogen and carbon dioxide decomposition products in plasmochemical reactions involving the combining of atmospheric nitrogen and the conversion of carbon dioxide. A plasmatron with diagnostic slots in the porous channel and a thermionic cathode was used in the experiment. The arc discharge was monitored using high speed photography while the discharge gases were analyzed by means of chromatography. The parameters examined included gas flow rate, electric field strength and potential, compression of the arc, and the transport properties of the nonequilibrium plasma produced in the arc. The study shows that an arc with rapid gas injection through a permeable wall generates carbon dioxide nonequilibrium decomposition with high efficiency at pressures substantially higher than previously used in hf and uhf discharges and at higher power levels.